"So I have been given to understand by your valet," replied Gerald coolly, and sat down to take out his pipe. "You don't object to my smoking, I presume?" Rebb smiled grimly. "No," he rejoined deliberately, "you may need soothing before our conversation ends." "Dear me, that sounds threatening. Are you going to murder me, or drop me into an oubliette. If so, I advise you to think twice about it. The police at Silbury know that I am here. I told a young constable in the High Street where I was going." "I don't see why you should do that?" said Rebb sharply. "I do," rejoined the young man calmly. "You are a dangerous man, Rebb, and you are being driven into a corner. However, if you think to silence me by violence, you will only get yourself into difficulties." "You are afraid," taunted the Major sneeringly. "Oh, not at all," retorted Haskins, although his fair face flushed a trifle; "there is no question of that. The mere fact that I come here alone is enough to prove that I do not fear you." He lighted his pipe carefully and looked along the stem at his host. "Fire away." Rebb sat down in a comfortable chair with his back to the window, probably so that Haskins should not read his face too easily. He was neatly dressed in a maroon-colored smoking-suit, and looked as spic and span as though he had just stepped out of a band-box; but then Rebb, being something of a lady-killer, had always been attentive to his personal appearance. He suited the room very well, as he looked high-bred and bland, and dangerously amiable. "What do you wish me to say?" he asked quietly. "That is for you to judge," answered Haskins lazily, but very attentive to Rebb's slightest movement. "You say that you expected me. Well, I presume that means you have something to say." "You have called to see me without an invitation," retorted Rebb, "so that shows you have a few questions to ask me." "You are right--I have. But you are not hospitable, Rebb. I am dry after that long walk from Silbury. What about beer?" "Are you not afraid of my poisoning you?" asked the Major, rising and going to a sideboard. "Not at all; you would like to, so as to silence me for ever. Had I come here without anyone knowing my whereabouts you would doubtless try to get rid of me in some way or another. But the game in this case is not worth the candle. The Pixy's House has a bad reputation for one murder, Major, and I don't think you would care to have another committed either by yourself or your tool, Geary." "I did not set Geary on to you," snapped Rebb, discomposed by this cool chatter, and returning to the central table with a tray. "So I understand. Geary told me so last night." "You have seen him?" "Oh yes; and his wife also. She rather gave you away, Major, and I may tell you that she has left her husband, having had enough of his brutality. The children, I believe, are with her."